The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named 19 nominees today for induction for 2017.
But only five of those will actually be inducted, starting with Pearl Jam and the late Tupac Shakur. So this was just lip service, as they say.
The great Maureen van Zandt, wife of E Street Band’s Steven van Zandt, wrote this morning on Twitter: “I’m starting my own Rock Hall of Fame & this year will be inducting Free, Bad Company, Harry Nilsson, The Raspberries & Link Wray.”
If only. What a great selection. But it’s not going to happen. There’s no intention of the RRHOF doing anything differently. I love that they nominated a punk band 8 people care about called Bad Brains. That characterizes the whole situation.
Of the remaining 17 nominees, the most likely inductee is Jeff Lynne and his Electric Light Orchestra. Lynne is a long time friend of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well of Bob Dylan and many other stars whose name Jann Wenner needs. It’s not that ELO doesn’t deserve it, they are beloved. But still, this is the way it will happen.
Tupac will cover the black thing for Wenner. He doesn’t like real R&B acts, even Janet Jackson. But a dead rapper– that’s a PR hook.
J Geils Band made the list– listen, if they don’t get in this time, Peter Wolf should just take their name out of the running and send Wenner a horse’s head in his bed. Wolf has done everything but carry Wenner’s luggage to the ceremonies over the years. Wenner has treated him like dirt. Enough already.
Joan Baez made the list! Amazing. Again, the Dylan connection and the possibility that he might come and induct her makes Joan a very hot prospect. Wenner could also have Robbie Robertson and a “Band”-like group perform “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” which was their song but Baez popularized. Dylan might play! Wenner is tearing up now at this thought.
The rest of the nominees include Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, Janet Jackson, Journey, the Cars, the Zombies, Yes, Chaka Khan, Chic, Joe Tex, Kraftwerk, MC5 and Steppenwolf.
